Opposition to Transportation Sales Tax Rides BRT in Gainesville

Morgan Watkins shares news of a “push to get a transportation sales tax referendum on this fall's ballot” in Alachua County, Florida, which includes the city of Gainesville.

“[County Commissioners] were all in agreement that Alachua County government's share of the money will mostly be used to finance road repair projects, which will help reduce its $550 million backlog in such repairs,” writes Watkins.

However, “The possibility that the city of Gainesville will include a bus rapid transit system in its project list for the referendum proved divisive for the board.”

The County Commission’s hesitance results from a recent report that questioned a proposed BRT’s viability.

The City Commission also later delayed its decision on a proposed project list, according to a separate report from Christopher Curry.